I've been looking for an English-y endurance saddle for MONTHS! I'm currently riding in a Wintec AP. It was fine for 25 miles a day, but my horse has started to get a little sore once I've started doing faster, longer distances. Her shape has also changed a lot since I got my saddle when she was a just-turned four-year-old. I was going to wait until she was six to get a nice new saddle (figuring she'd find her true shape and stay in it!). She's six-and-a-half now, and we're still looking! She use to be level backed with less prominent withers, but she decided to develop this dip behind her (now rather boney) withers. No longer an ideal Wintec horse.

I found free 'n easy saddles and REALLY liked the look of them. They're ajustable as well? How easily? I'm not going to put it past miss mare to change shape a little more. Do you they fit your horse well? Comfortable? Tell me everything!

Where do you live? I have an English style endurance saddle that'll fit any horse. It's a black forest treeless saddle. Some people say it makes horses sore but I've ridden in this saddle for 2 years and my horse has NEVER had a sore back. I've had it on a lot of different horses. It fits all. It's super super comfy. Comes with saddle pad ($200 retail), girth (dressage girth), cantle bag, stirrups, leathers, and a yellow tack set if you want. The saddle is black in color.Posted via Mobile Device

From what I have heard from the endurance riders I know that use them free and easy's are not very easy.

Yes they are adjustable, but its about on par with solving a rubics cube. The people I know that have them are very happy with them once they get them adjusted. I would only consider one if you went to an event with a factory rep to get them to adjust it for you, or at least show you how the first time.

It has been miraculous. I suspect that your wintec will work fine with one of these pads. I used the fleece. I have never tried the tacky too pads. The horse has no back pain. She is way more willing to work now.

Even if you go to an English saddle, you will need a riser pad to even things out. Horses that don't have perfectly round backs can get a lot of back pain if you don't use something that fills in the gaps.

I ride in a Free n Easy and love it more than words can express. I have ridden thousands of miles in it with no issues (*knock on wood*).

Joe is correct in saying adjusting it can be a bit of a challenge, but there are actually websites online that walk you through the process if you don't have someone local that can help you.

Hardest part is finding a used one, unless you want to order new and have it imported (the are not made in the US).

Another option some of my endurance friends swear by is the Rubicon from the Arabian Saddle Company. Someone comes out and fits the saddle to your horse. I know of at least 2 horses personally who went thru countless treed and treeless saddles with no luck before finding that saddle.

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